Mike Anich

Reporter

manich@leaderherald.com

The city Planning Board is expected to review the expansion project’s site plan at its meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. Planned is an expansion at its 200 Union Ave. Ext. building.

The Fulton County Center for Regional Growth reported to the Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development and Environment Committee last month that Pioneer Window planned to stay in the area. The CRG assisted the company in purchasing its building and deciding to stay in Fulton County after the longtime local window manufacturer considered relocating downstate. The company currently employs about 140 people.

But the CRG followed up that good news in January with more news reported to the committee Wednesday from agency President and CEO Ron Peters.

“Right now, they’re going like gangbusters,” Peters said of Pioneer.

He announced the plans to expand would go before city planners Tuesday.

Peters said Pioneer Window Manufacturing Corp. currently has a 175,000-square-foot building, but the expansion would be 125,000 square feet on four acres of land on Union Avenue.

He said Pioneer Window plans to hire “at least” an additional 40 to 50 employees to do manufacturing jobs.

Also at Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting is a public hearing and possible action to follow on a proposed O’Reilly Auto Parts store at 138 N. Comrie Ave. The Springfield, Mo.-based chain submitted an application to the city to open a new store located between Wendy’s and the Microtel.

According to site plan information submitted to the City Clerk’s Office, the proposed development includes construction of a 7,225-square-foot O’Reilly Auto Parts store with associated driveways, drainage and utilities. The area — formerly occupied by a First Niagara bank — will continue to be accessed from two existing curb cuts off North Comrie Avenue, which will be widened to accommodate truck movements.

All O’Reilly merchandise will be off-loaded via hand truck and brought into the store through a side door. The project also proposes a concrete dumpster at the northeastern corner of the property.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at manich@leaderherald.com.